The day begins early with hotel pickup and a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Mollepata, where you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel the adventure. From there, we continue another 40 minutes to Soraypampa, the official starting point of the trek.
From Soraypampa, the trail climbs steadily for about 4 hours toward the Salkantay Pass, following the famous “Path of the 7 Snakes”—a series of winding switchbacks carved into the mountainside. At the pass, take time to rest, take photos, and absorb the dramatic Andean scenery as you stand at one of the highest points of the trek.
After the pass, we begin a 2.5-hour descent to Huayracmachay, where lunch will be waiting. Refueled, we continue hiking for another 3 hours through changing landscapes, descending into greener terrain until reaching Collpapampa.
Sky Domes at Collpapampa
Further along the route, the Sky Domes at Collpapampa offer a completely different atmosphere, surrounded by the Lucmabamba Canyon and cloud forest.
These domes offer:
The ideal campsite to recover after a demanding day of trekking. It’s a unique opportunity to deeply relax while immersed in one of the most lush landscapes in the Salkantay region.
Due to the long hiking day, the Humantay Lake visit is optional and done on horseback only.
The morning begins with a warm wake-up drink delivered to your room, followed by a nourishing breakfast. A short drive takes us down the valley to Lucmabamba, where today’s hike officially begins.
From Lucmabamba, we hike uphill for about 3 hours along original Inca stone steps to reach the Llactapata archaeological complex. This elevated site offers a rare and memorable moment—your first distant view of Machu Picchu, seen from across the valley.
After time to explore the ruins and enjoy the scenery, we begin our descent toward Hidroelectrica, where a well-earned lunch will be waiting.
In the afternoon, we follow the railway tracks for approximately 3 hours, surrounded by lush vegetation, until reaching Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, we check in to your hotel and later enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Rest well tonight—tomorrow is your long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu.
Prefer to skip the final walk? You may take the train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes instead.
The long-awaited moment has arrived. After breakfast, your guide will meet you and escort you to the bus up to Machu Picchu.
Inside the sanctuary, enjoy a 2-hour guided tour covering Machu Picchu’s most important sectors, including:
Your guide will bring the site to life, explaining its history, symbolism, and Inca engineering.
After the visit, return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, concluding your journey in comfort.
DOCUMENTS TO CARRY WITH YOU
The Salkantay Trek is considered challenging. High altitudes and the length of daily hikes make this hike suitable for people in good shape.
The highest point is the Salkantay Pass, which reaches an altitude of 4,650 m (15,255 ft).
Unlike the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek does not require a specific permit, but you do need an entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
The best months are from April to October, during the dry season.
Book your trek at least 6 months in advance in order to ensure availability.
Essential items include:
Yes, meals are typically provided by the tour operator from breakfast on Day 1 to lunch on the last day.
The Best Circuit in Machu Picchu is #2. In the case this circuit in not available we recommend a combination of #1 & #3.
Depending on availability 2A or 2B.
Yes, you can hire a porter to carry your personal items. There is a weight limit for what porters can carry, and you will need a daypack for essential items.
On our 3 days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu the groups go from minimum 2 persons to 8 persons.